Article supporting rack



July 7, 1970 Filed Aug. 17, 1967 R. L. WELLMAN, JR

ARTICLE SUPPORTING RACK 4 Sheets-Sheet l l MAONEY, M/LLER a R M oATTORNEYS July 7-19704 R. l.. WELLMAN, JR 3,519,140

ARTICLE SUPPORTING RACK Filed Aug. 17, 1967 4 sheets-Sheet 2 A m'ENToR.ROY L. WELLMAMJR.

BY MAQNEY, M/LL'ER a RAME@ 'ATTORNEYS July 7, 1970 R. L.. WELLMAN, JR3,519,140

ARTICLE SUPPORTINGA RACK Filed Aug. 17, 1967 4 SheetS-Sheel', 3

m!" -IO I m d n d (0 lll x (D ,l "-KD f: .d ///\/f I lo INVENTOR 3' ROYL. WELLMAN,JR.

BY MAHONEY, MILLER 8 RAMBO ATTORNEYS United States Patent O "ice3,519,140 ARTICLE SUPPORTING RACK Roy L. Wellman, Jr., Columbus, Ohio,assignor to Federated Department Stores, Inc., The F. & R.

Lazarus and Co. Division, Columbus, Ohio, a

corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 17, 1967, Ser. No. 665,665 Int. Cl.A47f 5/13 U.S. Cl. 211-148 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cargotransporting device. In general, it comprises a portable rack which isprovided with -various adjustable supports to vary the cargo-receivingspaces in accordance with the cargo to be loaded therein. This permitsloading of odd-shape articles into the rack with a maximum of efciencyof use of the available space. The cargo can be preloaded into the rackand then at the proper time the loaded rack can be moved into atransporting or delivery vehicle such as a truck.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE As in said patent, the portable rackcomprises a base with a pair of parallel, laterally spaced,longitudinally extending guide and support rails supported thereon at anelevated position. From each of these parallel rails a set of verticallyextending struts is suspended for selective adjustment therealong. Thelower end of each of the struts is provided with a depending retainingpin adapted to be selectively positioned in any of a series of socketsdisposed in the base of the rack in a longitudinal row so locatedlaterally relative to the guide rail from which that set of struts issuspended 'as to hold the struts laterally upright. However, accordingto the present invention, each of the struts is suspended from one ofthe rails by means of an improved arrangement which includes aself-contained clamping unit that can be ladjusted readily from areleasing condition to permit movement of the strut along the rail to alocking or retaining condition where the strut will be set and clampedto the rail at the desired upright longitudinal position in alignmentwith the lower end fixed by the retaining pin and its cooperatingsocket. As in the patent structure, the transversely extending supportbars are provided for cooperating with opposed struts of a transversepair and can be set at selected elevations thereon, the bars oflongitudinally spaced pairs of struts located at a common level beingadapted to support shelves or cargo articles directly. However,according to the present invention, the ends of the bars are removablyconnected to the struts by novel joints which prevent rotation ortwisting of the bars about their axes as well as locking them to preventaccidental disconnection by vertical movement due to jarring orvibration. As in the patent structure, telescoping shelves are supportedlat their opposed ends by longitudinally spaced pairs of bars supportedby the struts at a common level. However, according to this invention,the shelves are of improved construction for supporting various articlesand are provided with improved means at their opposed ends for engagingthe bars and connecting thereto. This improved connecting means iseasily operable to lock the shelves to the bars or to disconnect themtherefrom and when locked will preclude the shelves from verticaldisplacement from the bars by vibration or jarring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The improved structure of the presentinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

3,519,140 Patented July 7, 1970 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of therack.

FIG. la is an enlarged detail in section taken through one of thesupport and guide rails along line 1a 1a of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view taken alongline 2 2 of FIG. 1 showing the vertical strut and its means forsuspending it from the rail.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 3 3 of FIG. 2showing the inner face of the strut.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional View taken along line 5 5 ofFIG. 1 showing a horizontal support bar connnected between two opposedstruts.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 6 6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7 7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 8 8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of one of the article supporting telescopingshelves.

FIG. 10 is an edge view of the shelf.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but showing the shelf extended.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged detail in section taken `along line 12-12 of FIG.9.

FIG. 13 is a similar view taken along line 13 13 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail in section taken through the shelf alongline 14 14 of FIG. 9 and showing an associated horizontal support bar insection.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged edge View of an end portion of the shelf showingan associated horizontal support bar in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Having reference to the drawings, anarticle transporting apparatus or transporter of a general structurelike that disclosed in said patent but embodying the improvements of thepresent invention is illustrated in detail in the several gures.Referring specifically to FIG. l, the article supporter and transporter15 is shown in the form of a portable rack and is seen to comprise abase platform designated generally by the numeral 20 and a noveladjustable shelving or article supporting structure. This structure iscarried on the base platform land is selectively positionable thereon,both vertically and horizontally, to facilitate the loading of thearticles and to provide horizontally disposed supports or platforms formulti-level stacking of the articles. As in the patent, it comprisesmainly guide rails 38 from which are suspended vertical struts 45, whichsupport transverse article support bars 52 that may carry horizontaltelescopic shelves 61. As will be more fully explained hereinafter, thearticle supporting structure may be adjusted and positioned toaccommodate articles which extend the full height of the transporter aswell as smaller articles which may be stacked in layers for economicalspace utilization. Also, it may be adjusted to accommodate articles ofvarious lengths. Thus, the article receiving spaces provided by theadjustable supporting structure may be varied in accordance with thearticles they are to receive for maximum eiciency in use of theavailable space of the rack. The article transporters or racks 15 may beconstructed in any size which is suitable for a particular application.As in the patent structure, the `article transporter or rack 15 isdesigned to t within a van-type body of a delivery truck. Otherdimensional congurations may be utilized for specific applications. Forexample, a multiple of transporters or portable racks may be designed tot within a particular van body or truck or in a trailer body as in thecase of trailer-type highway vehicles. In that instance, three or foursuch transporters or racks could conveniently be positioned 'within atrailer body. If desired, the portable rack may also be used in awarehouse or similar building itself for moving cargo around thebuilding. Also, the improvements of this invention are applicable to astationary storage rack.

The base platform of the transporter or rack 15 comprises a rigid framepreferably of welded steel construction formed from a pair oflongitudinally extending side rails 21 and interconnecting end rails 22.The side and end rails 21 and 22 are preferably box-type, tubulargirders to provide the necessary structural rigidity. Intermediate crossmembers (not shown) may also be provided to increase the rigidity of thestructure and provide support for the central oor covering which forms alowermost article-supporting surface for the articles to be carried bythe transporter or portable rack. This floor covering may be formed froma number of plywood panels 24 which are preferably positioned with thesurface thereof aligned with the upper surface of the end and side rails21 and 22 forming a smooth continuation thereof. Movement of thetransporter or rack 15 is facilitated by means of several wheel casterassemblies which are secured to the rigid frame of the base platform.Four such caster assemblies 30 are utilized in the present embodiment.

Rigidly secured to each end of the base platform 20 is an upstandingframe assembly which preferably includes the vertically disposed cornersupport members and the cross brace 36 secured and interconnecting theupper ends of the support members. Preferably, this end frame assemblyis also of welded construction utilizing boxtype, tubular structuralmembers with the end of the support members 35 being welded to the siderails 21 of the base platform.

Supported by the upstanding end frame assemblies at a selected level arethe guide or track means from which certain parts of thearticle-supporting or shelf structures are supported. Each track meanscomprises the support and guide rail 38 which extends longitudinally ofthe base platform. The ends of each of the guide rails 38 are rigidlysecured to the vertical support members 35 of the end frame assembliesand are disposed vertically above the side rails 21 of the base platformin a common longitudinally extending vertical plane. Each guide rail 38,which is of a generally box-like channel form, as can be best seen byreference to FIGS. 2 and 3, is formed with two horizontally disposedinwardly directed flanges 39 at the bottom side thereof. The flanges 39form guide or track rails along which bearing and clamp shoe or plate40` may slide. The anges 39 terminate in opposed, longitudinallyextending edges 41 which are relatively spaced apart and form a slot 41atherebetween. Opposed portions of the guide or track rail flanges 39 areremoved at one end of each guide rail 38 (FIG. la) to provide an opening38a through which the shoe 40 may readily pass vertically.

The shoes 4() are on the upper ends of the respective vertical strutswhich provide vertical supports for the shelving or article supportingstructure. At least two of these struts are carried by each of the guiderails 38 but preferably they are provided as a set in greater number.Each of the vertical struts 45 is suspended from the respective guiderail 38, according to the present invention, by a clamp assembly 46which includes the shoe 40. The shoe 40 is rigidly mounted, as bywelding, on the upper end of a threaded pin 42, the lower end of thispin being fixed, as by welding, to the upper end of the strut 45.Carried by the threaded pin 42 below the shoe 40 is a clamping nut 43which has a llat disc-like upper surface adapted to engage the flatlower surfaces of the guide .rail flanges 39 when the at upper surfacesare clamped between the nut and the shoe 40. The shoe 40 is preferablyangular such as square or rectangular so that it will not rotate in theguide rail when the nut 43 is rotated. The nut preferably is rotated bymeans of opposed handles 44 which are pivoted to the nut atdiametrically opposed pivots 47 so that normally the handles will hangin dependent position within the circumference of the nut in anout-of-the-way position as shown in FIG. 2. When the nut 43 is drawnupwardly against the flanges 39 by rotation in a proper direction, itwill draw the shoe 40 downwardly against the flanges 39 to produce aneffective clamping action to hold the upper end of the strut 45 at aselected location along the guide rail. When the nut is retracted, theclamping action is released and the strut 45 can then be moved to anyposition along the guide rail with the shoe 40 sliding along the uppersurfaces of the flanges 39 but still suspending the strut from the rail.However, the strut can be removed from the rail by positioning the shoe40 over the opening 38a so that it can be moved downwardly therethrough.Replacement of the strut in the rail can be accomplished with ease bypassing the shoe 40l upwardly through the opening 43 and sliding theshoe 40 along the flanges 39 to position the strut 45 longitudinallyalong the rail 38 as desired.

Each of the vertical struts 45 is of an improved structure according tothis invention. It is in the form of a box-like channel, as shown bestin FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, which, at its inner side or face, is provided withinwardly directed anges 5G having their edges spaced apart to provide aslot 51 extending the full height of the strut. Disposed across thisslot 51 at selected elevations are the transverse lugs or cleats 53which are welded or otherwise fixed to the flanges 50. Each of thesecleats 53 is provided with a pin-receiving socket or opening 54 inregistry with the slot. The lower end of the strut 45 has a retainingpin 63 rigidly mounted thereon in depending relationship thereto. Thepin is fixed to the strut, for example, by means of welding to atransverse cleat 56 which is welded within the flanges 50 and, asindicated in FIG. 2, this is at the inner side of the strut. Each ofthese retaining pins 55 can -be inserted in an opening or socket 57 inthe rail 21 of the base platform 20 at the time the clamping unit 46 onthe strut is released. It will be noted from FIG. 1 that the openings 57are arranged as a row of longitudinally spaced openings or upwardlyopening sockets in each of the rails 21. When the clamping unit 46 isreleased by retraction of the nut 43 downwardly, it is possible to movethe entire strut 45 vertically relative to the guide 38 to permitlifting of the pin 55 out of one of the sockets or openings 57 andreinsertion in the same or any other selected opening. However7 when theclamp is in clamping condition, the pin 55 cannot be displaced upwardlyout of its socket 57. Thus, each of the struts 45 may be moved tovarious positions longitudinally along and between the opposed upperguide rail 38 and lower support rail 21. The movement may beaccomplished when the clamp unit 46 is released but when the clamp isset, the retaining pin 55 and associated socket 57 will hold the lowerend of the strut in a xed longitudinal position on the rail 21 whereasits upper end will be clamped in a corresponding longitudinal positionalong the guide rail 38. Initial positioning of each strut in an uprightrelationship to the base 20 at a selected longitudinal position thereonis facilitated by this structure as well as resetting of the strut adifferent selected longitudinal upright positions.

The support bars 52 are adapted to be disposed at selected levelstransversely horizontally between a pair of opposed vertical struts 45which have been adjusted longitudinally of the respective guide rails 38so that they are opposite each other and in alignment. According to thispresent invention, the bars and their releasable end connections to therespective struts 45 are of improved construction and this improvedconstruction is shown best in FIGS. 1 and 5 8. Each bar is ofsubstantially box-like channel form with an upwardly opening slot 60y(FIG. 5) formed therein between the inwardly and downwardly turned upperlips 62 and extending the full length thereof. One end of the bar isclosed by a lug 63a welded in place and having a retaining pin 63 fixedthereon and extending outwardly therefrom. This pin is adapted to bepositioned in any of the openings 54 on an adjacent vertical strut 45.The other end is provided with a releasable lock or retaining pinassembly -64 for cooperating with the openings 54 in the adjacent post45. This assembly comprises a pin 65 projecting outwardly from a slide66 which is slidably fitted into the adjacent end of the channel bar 52.This slide 66 is biased outwardly by means of a compression spring 67which surrounds a pin 68 fixed to the inner portion of the slide andextending inwardly slidably through a guide lug 69 fixed on the lowerweb of the bar 52. The spring is disposed between the lug 69 and theinner end of the slide and normally urges the slide outwardly beyond theadjacent end of the bar 52 but outward movement is limited by a stop key70' passed transversely through an opening at the inner end of the pin68 for engagement with the lug 69. The slide 66 has a flat tongue 71projecting outwardly therefrom at its lower side which is adapted toextend beneath the straight lower edge of a cleat 53 when the pin 65carried by that slide is inserted into the opening 54 in that cleat.Thus, at this time this end of the bar 52 will not only be connected tothe vertical strut 38 but the bar will be prevented from twisting orrotating about its longitudinal axis. This will keep the slot 60 facingupwardly. Each bar 52 can be selectively positioned at different levelsin a horizontal position by choosing the proper opposed sockets 54 atthe desired level. The bar can be easily removed by first withdrawingthe spring biased pin or plunger 65 from the socket 54 in thecooperating strut 38, dropping the end of the bar and then withdrawingthe fixed pin 63 from the socket 54 in the opposed strut. Remounting ofthe bar 52 on the opposed struts -45 can be accomplished by firstinserting the fixed pin 63 and then the movable pin 65. Thus, selectivepositioning of bars 52 on the opposed struts 45 can be readilyaccomplished and when each bar is mounted, it not only will not bejarred out of place but will not twist about its axis. If desired, thestop means 71 for preventing twisting may be fixed to the opposite endof the bar 52 along with the pin 63 in proper position to engage theassociated cleat 53.

The pairs of transversely opposed vertical struts 45 are adjustedlongitudinally as desired and two pairs of longitudinally spaced strutsmay support one or more of the shelf structures 61 in horizontalposition. To support a shelf, the transverse support bars 52 will bemounted on the struts at the desired elevation with the bars on therespective pairs of struts being at the same level so that thetelescopic shelf `61 can be extended therebetween longitudinally andhorizontally and supported thereby. According to this present invention,this shelf is of improved construction and improved means is providedfor mounting it on and connecting it to the support bars 52. Thisimproved structure is illustrated best in FIGS. 9-15.

The shelf structure 61 is composed of two flat sections or laminations73 and 74 which may be metal plates but preferably are formed ofplywood. The section 73` will be the upper section and will carry atransversely surrounding guide loop 75 for the other section, this loopbeing a metal band secured at the inner end of the section 73 by meansof screws 76 in flat contact with the upper surface of the section andforming a guide below the section. Similarly, the section 74 has securedon its inner end a transversely surrounding guide loop 77 fastened tothe lower surface thereof by the screws 78 so as to provide a guideabove the section for the other section 73. The sections are disposed inlaminated relationship and are slidable relatively in their respectiveguide loops so that the telescopic shelf can be lengthened or shortenedin accordance with the spacing of the pair of longitudinally spacedsupport bars which are to support the shelf. The retracted condition ofthe shelf sections is shown in FIG. 10 and the fully extended conditionis shown in FIG. 11 and it will be noted that in the latter conditionthe loops 75 and 77 control and serve as stops to prevent separation ofthe sections.

The outer end of each shelf section 73 and 74 carries supporting andconnecting bracket clips for engagement with the respective support bars52.- The arrangement on the outer ends of both sections are identicaland, therefore, a description of one will suffice and it will be notedthat it comprises two fixed outer clips 79 and one adjustable middleclip 80. The clips are downturned angles fastened to the upper surfaceof the end of the shelf section to project beyond that end. The clip 80has a flat inner leaf end 81 secured to the upper surface of the shelfsection and a downwardly curled outer end 82 spaced outwardly from theend of the shelf section. The leaf end is provided with a slot 8-3through which a clamp screw 84 passes into the material of the section.Thus, the clip 80 can be adjusted in-and-out relative to the shelfsection end and may be clamped in adjusted position byl tightening thescrew 84.

When the shelf 61 is supported on the bars 52, the fixed angle clips 79on the opposite ends of the shelf rest on the inner lip '62 of the bar,it being understood that the shelf has been extended or retracted to thenecessary extent. Then to lock the shelf down on the bars, the lockingbrackets 80 are adjusted inwardly to cause the curl 82 of each tointerfit with the associated lip 62 and prevent lifting of the ends ofthe shelf. Other adjustable locking or interfitting means between theshelf and associated support bar may be provided for locking the shelfin position to prevent accidental vertical movement, such means beingreleasable when desired to permit lifting and removal of the shelf.

As indicated in FIG. l, when the shelves are not in use they may hang independent position from some of the transverse bars 52 so that they willbe available for use. Also, the struts 45 not in use normally will behanging from the guide rails 38 and will be readily available foradjustment into a position of use along the rack. In this way both thestruts and the shelves are always conveniently located for selection anduse.

It will be apparent from the above that this present invention providesa rack, preferably portable, which has improved means for adjusting itto vary the article-receiving spaces to obtain maximum use of theavailable space. The struts or vertical supports are suspended by theclamping assemblies which facilitate movement of the struts to variousupright positions longitudinally of the rack. Each strut is providedwith inwardly opening sockets for receiving cooperating ends oftransverse support bars which may or may not support shelving. Thesebars are provided with retaining means at their ends which interfit withthe sockets of the struts to support the bars at variable levels. Theinterfitting connections are fixed at one end and retractable at theother end to permit insertion into opposed openings in a pair of strutsbetween which the bars are disposed. The connection at either end mayhave, in addition, interfitting means between the end of the bar and theadjacent strut to prevent rotation of the bar about its axis. Theretaining means also functions to prevent vertical displacement of thebars under vibration conditions. The telescopic shelves may be supportedby the transverse bars and are provided with connections which interlockwith the bars to prevent accidental displacelment of the shelves fromthe bars under vibration. These connections include adjustable lockingmeans which can be moved readily between locking and releasingpositions. These connections on the shelves, the connections on the endsof the transverse support rods, as well as the strut locating means onthe two ends of the struts, all are free of parts which are removableand which might be lost or misplaced if they were removable. Also, allof the connections can be actuated without the use of tools, even thelocking screws on the shelf-clips which can be turned with a coin.

Various other advantages will be apparent.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is:

1. An article-supporting rack comprising an upright supporting structurehaving supported thereon:

a pair of lower horizontal longitudinally extending rails which are inlaterally spaced parallel relationship;

a pair of upper horizontal longitudinally extending rails which arelaterally spaced parallel relationship to each other and are disposed inthe same vertical planes as the respective lower rails and are at apreselected level spaced above said lower rails in parallel relationshipto said lower rails;

at least one pair of vertical struts cooperating with said upper andlower rails with each of the respective struts of the pair beingdisposed between an upper and lower rail;

and a transverse support bar extending transversely between the twostruts of a pair and having its ends connected to the respective struts;

each of said upper rails being a support and guide rail having inwardlydirected horizontal support flanges disposed in a common plane with alongitudinally extending guide slot formed therebetween and at least onelongitudinally extending upwardly projecting side wall formed on ailange and spaced a distance laterally outward from and parallel to saidslot, said flanges being cut-away at a selected position longitudinallyof the rail to form an opening; each of said struts having an upwardthreaded extension non-rotatably xed thereon and adapted to projectupwardly through said slot for longitudinal movement of the strut alongthe slot and carrying non-rotatably fixed thereon a clamp and supportshoe which is adapted to be positioned above and to extend outwardlyover said support flanges, and to pass vertically through said openingso as to permit removal of the strut from or engagement of the strutwith the upper rail by passage of said fixed clamp and support shoethrough said opening relative to said anges, said clamp and support shoeprovided with an angular outer edge adapted to engage said upwardlyprojecting side wall of said upper rail to prevent relative rotation ofsaid strut about the vertically disposed longitudinal axis thereof, anda clamp nut member threaded on said extension adapted to be disposedbelow said anges and adjustable vertically by rotation on said threadedextension to clamp the anges between it and said xed clamp and supportshoe, said lower rails being support rails and said lower rails and thelower ends of said struts having interfitting portions which areengageable and releasable upon vertical movement of said strut when saidclamp nut member is adjusted to a lower position on said threadedextension; and means removably connecting said transverse support bar tothe respective struts and preventing twisting of said bar about itslongitudinal axis.

2. A rack according to claim 1 whereinsaid means removably connectingsaid transverse support bar to said struts comprises inwardly openingsockets formed on the respective struts, a fixed retaining pin axiallyprojecting from one end of said bar and removably inserted into arespective socket on one strut, and a plunger axially projecting fromthe opposite end of said bar and removably inserted into a respectivesocket on the other strut, said plunger provided with additional meansintertting with the strut to prevent relative rotation of said supportbar about its longitudinal axis and being axially retractable' relativeto said support bar for withdrawal from the respective socket to permitwithdrawal of the fixed-retaining pin from its respective socket andremoval of said support bar.

3. A rack according to claim 2 in which said struts are each providedwith a plurality of vertically spaced sockets.

References Cited UNITED `STATES PATENTS 1,561,126 11/1925 Timm 151-41.762,549,357 4/1951 Angelone. 2,928,512 3/1960 Slater et al. 3,061,05510i/1962 Nijhuis. 2,060,620 11/ 1936 Janssen 211-162 2,951,594 9/1960Strinning et al. 108-106 XR 3,004,636 10/1961 Shane 52-239 3,102,641 9/1963 Konstant et al. 211-148 3,221,894 12/1965 Knuth 2,11-134 3,197,9298/ 1965 Halstad 52-241 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,478,566 3/ 1967 France.

404,117 6/ 1966 Switzerland.

238,806 6/ 1962 Australia.

918,263 10/1946 France.

MARION PARSONS, JR., Primary Examiner U.S. C1. X.R.

